Should the NHL not come back in time to finish out its regular season, the draft lottery method could be interesting. As noted by Custance, the option would get all players back on the ice, as opposed to only postseason teams, and thus allow teams to engage with all of the league’s fans.

“It would also engage fans of both playoff teams and lottery teams alike if games return,” Custance wrote. “Imagine for a moment a lottery tournament final between the Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks for the rights to draft Alexis Lafreniere. Or a final between the Senators and Montreal Canadiens for the same thing. The television ratings in those markets would be off the charts.”

Custance adds that, of course, it would give the league and its players association a chance to sell television rights to the tournament during the summer where there isn’t much competition for ratings.

If there were ever a season to experiment with the lottery, this would be it.